The Cross Pantano del Víboras, organised and promoted by Sport Maniacs in collaboration with Martos Council, is an annual event held in late February or early March. This year’s ninth edition took place on February 23rd. The sporting event has gained popularity, and this year was the best yet, with over 1,500 participants and bringing together more than 3,000 people.

The course

The event features a race around the Viboras Reservoir, a 14.5-kilometre route that includes 11 kilometres of dirt tracks and 4 kilometres of asphalt. The route is mostly flat, except for a slight elevation near the dam.

The event

In addition to the running race, there’s also a hiking category and a shorter race for children. This event is perfect for families.

The race begins at the Plaza de la Constitución in Las Casillas. An interesting feature is that the hiking and running events take place on the same course. Hikers start first, going anticlockwise, while runners follow later, running clockwise. This means that runners and walkers pass each other on the course, which I find wonderful.

I participated in the hiking category, which was my sixth time. At 9:30, we set off. I was accompanied by my dog, Flo, my Olympus XA camera loaded with Fomapan 100 film, and over 600 other hikers. I captured the following photos during my hike around the course and in the village afterwards.

I love this event. The route is incredibly picturesque, traversing unique and spectacular landscapes. The high turnout creates a fantastic sense of camaraderie and a lively party/carnival atmosphere. After the event, people gather in the streets outside the two village bars, enjoying food and drinks for hours.

Click on any photo to see a larger version.

A crowded street scene features a mix of people gathered hikers gathering for the start of the walk, many wearing coats and backpacks. A large inflatable archway with text marks the finish line of the annual race. The street is lined with old buildings. Black and white image.
The hikers gathering for the start of the race
A group of people wearing backpacks and numbered bibs walk along a dirt path near Las Casillas de Martos. The landscape features rolling hills, a distant village, and the shimmering Viboras Reservoir under a clear sky.
A short distance after the start of the race with the reservoir and mountains in the distance
A group of people and a few dogs walking across the dam during the Cross Pantano del Víboras. The black-and-white scene captures the hills and water of the Viboras Reservoir in the background, their outlines softened by a slightly hazy sky.
Crossing the dam
A black and white image of a serene landscape near Las Casillas de Martos, with rolling hills and distant mountains. Olive trees dot the landscape as the sun casts soft light over the scene.
The course is very scenic. Here the track winds its way through the olive groves.
Black and white photo of a rural scene on the Pantano del Víboras course, with three people walking across a small bridge over a calm stream. The bridge has railings, and rocky hills with sparse trees reflect in the water below.
Crossing the river Víboras
One of the leading runners passes the walkers going in the opposite direction on a dirt track by the reservoir. The landscape features hills and sparse vegetation under a clear sky. The image is in black and white.
One of the leading runners (the hikers walk anti-clockwise and the runners go clockwise)
More runners pass the walkers going in the opposite direction on a dirt track by the reservoir.
More runners pass the hikers
A large crowd gathers in the Las Casillas de Martos village square after the Cross Pantano del Víboras event. People, some in hats and running gear, mill about. In the background, there is a stage for the presentation ceremony.
After the race, crowds of people in the village square
A bustling outdoor street party scene in black and white, with many people seated under umbrellas, chatting and enjoying food and drinks. The atmosphere is lively and social, with a backdrop of white buildings and sunlight filtering through the umbrellas.
The street party after the race. BBQ pork skewers, chorizo sausages and paella are firm favourites. All washed down with copious amounts of beer. It?s fiesta time 🎉 🍻🥘

Film photo details

I took all the photos on this page using an Olympus XA camera with Fomapan 100 film. Developer: Rodinal, 1+50, for 9 minutes @20C.

The photos were digitised using a Nikon Zf mirrorless digital camera with a Tokina AT-X Pro Macro 100mm f2.8 D lens and processed using Capture One software.

Film roll No 447